ABC's of Elul

The last month of the Jewish calendar is actually the most important – serving as preparation for the High Holidays.

If you had an important court date scheduled – one that would determine your financial future, or even your very life – you'd be sure to prepare for weeks beforehand.

On Rosh Hashanah, each individual is judged on the merit of his deeds. Whether he will live out the year or not. Whether he will have financial success or ruin. Whether he will be healthy or ill. All of these are determined on Rosh Hashanah.

Elul – the month preceding Rosh Hashanah – begins a period of intensive introspection, of clarifying life's goals, and of coming closer to God. It is a time for realizing purpose in life – rather than perfunctorily going through the motions of living by amassing money and seeking gratification. It is a time when we step back and look at ourselves critically and honestly, as Jews have from time immemorial, with the intention of improving.

The four Hebrew letters of the word Elul (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) are the first letters of the four words Ani l'dodi v'dodi lee – "I am to my Beloved and my Beloved is to me" (Song of Songs 6:3). These words sum up the relationship between God and His people.

In other words, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah is a time when God reaches out to us, in an effort to create a more spiritually-inspiring atmosphere, one that stimulates teshuva.

Slichot

Beginning on Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, we recite "Slichot", a special series of prayers that invoke God's mercy. If Rosh Hashanah falls at the beginning of the week, then "Slichot" begin on the Saturday night of the previous week. (Sefardim begin saying "Slichot" on Rosh Chodesh Elul.)

After the sin of the Golden Calf, Moses asked God to explain His system for relating with the world. God's answer, known as the "13 Attributes of Mercy," forms the essence of the "Slichot" prayers. The "13 Attributes" speak of "God's patience." The same God Who created us with a clean slate and a world of opportunity, gives us another opportunity if we've misused the first one.

"Slichot" should be said with a minyan. If this is not possible, then "Slichot" should still be said alone, omitting the parts in Aramaic and the "13 Attributes of Mercy."

Finally, the most important aspect of Elul is to make a plan for your life. Because when the Big Day comes, and each individual stands before the Almighty to ask for another year, we'll want to know what we're asking for!

Additions to the Services

Beginning the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, it is the Ashkenazi custom to blow the shofar every morning after prayers, in order to awaken us for the coming Day of Judgement. The shofar's wailing sound inspires us to use the opportunity of Elul to its fullest.

Also beginning in Elul, we say Psalm 27 in the morning and evening services. (Sefardim say it in the morning and afternoon services.) In this Psalm, King David exclaims: "One thing I ask... is to dwell in the house of God all the days of my life." we focus on the unifying force of God in our lives, and strive to increase our connection to the infinite transcendent dimension.

40-Day Period

Rewind 3,000 years to the Sinai Desert. God has spoken the Ten Commandments, and the Jews have built the Golden Calf. Moses desperately pleads with God to spare the nation.

On the first day of Elul, Moses ascends Mount Sinai, and 40 days later – on the seminal Yom Kippur – he returned to the people, with a new, second set of stone tablets in hand.

For us as well, the month of Elul begins a 40-day period that culminates in the year's holiest day, Yom Kippur.

Why 40? Forty is a number of cleansing and purification. Noah's Flood rains lasted 40 days, and the mikveh – the ritual purification bath – contains 40 measures of water.

Elul is an enormous opportunity. During this time, many people increase their study of Torah and performance of good deeds. And many also do a daily cheshbon – an accounting of spiritual profit and loss.

Events of the Year 2448

Many of the Jewish holidays are based on the events of one crucial year in Jewish history – 2448, or 1312 BCE.

About 3,300 years ago, in the Jewish year 2448, the Jewish people were freed from slavery in Egypt – following the plague of the First Born. The date was the 15th of Nissan, the first Passover celebration.

One week later, with the Egyptian troops in full chase, the Red Sea split – and the Jewish people walked through on dry land. This occurred on the seventh and final day of the Passover holiday.

Ten Commandments and Mount Sinai – Fifty days later, on the holiday of Shavuot, God gave the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. At Sinai, the Jews regained the immortal level of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Moses' First Ascent – Following the revelation, Moses went up Mount Sinai to learn more details of the Torah directly from God. At the end of 40 days, God handed Moses two sapphire tablets of identical shape and size – upon which the Ten Commandments were engraved.

The Golden Calf – On the 16th of Tammuz, when Moses had not yet returned from the mountain, the Jewish people began to panic. They sought a new "leader" and built the Golden Calf. Immediately, the Clouds of Glory – the divine protection of God – departed. The Jews had relinquished their spiritual greatness and become mortal again. On the 17th of Tammuz, Moses came down from the mountain, smashed the Tablets, destroyed the Calf, and punished the transgressors.

Moses' Second Ascent - On the 19th of Tammuz, Moses ascended Mount Sinai again to plead for the lives of the Jewish people. He prayed with great intensity, and after 40 days, God agreed to spare the Jewish people in the merit of their forefathers. On the last day of Av, Moses returned to the people. Their lives were spared, but the sin was not yet forgiven.

Moses' Third and Final Ascent – Moses ascended Mount Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Elul and stayed in the heavenly camp for 40 days (bringing the total number of days spent there to 120). Henceforth, the month of Elul became a special time for drawing close to God. At the end of the 40 days – on the 10th of Tishrei – God agreed to mete out the punishment for the Golden Calf over many generations. He then gave Moses a new, second set of Tablets.

Moses came down from the mountain with good news for the people: The reunification was complete, and the relationship restored. Thereafter, the 10th of Tishrei was designated as a day of forgiveness for all future generations: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Midrashic Sources: Exodus Rabba 32:7, 51:8; Tanchuma - Ki Tisa 35

Recommended Reading

Rabbeinu Yitchak Abohav writes in "Menoras HaMeor":

Any intelligent person who is scheduled for trial before a mortal king will surely spend sleepless nights and days preparing his case. He will seek the advice of every knowledgeable person he knows who can help him prepare his case. He will go to great lengths to attain a favorable verdict, even if all that is at stake is but a small part of his fortune, and he faces no personal risk.

Should he not do so as well when brought to judgment before the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy Blessed One, when not only he, but his children and his fortune all hang in the balance?

With this in mind, here is some suggested reading for the High Holidays.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Survival Kit (Shimon Apisdorf, Leviathan Press) – The award-winning guide to getting more meaning out of the High Holidays. With humor and sophistication, this book offers invaluable insight to the significance of the holidays and prayers. User-friendly format.

ArtScroll Machzor – The most complete and well organized prayer book on the market today. Includes full English/Hebrew text of all prayers, plus explanations, laws and customs. Features a masterful essay on the essence of the High Holidays. Separate volumes for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

The Book of Our Heritage (Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, Feldheim) – A thorough review of the Jewish calendar. Includes month-by-month explanations of all the holidays, laws and customs throughout the Jewish year. A classic.

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About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the co-founder of Aish.com, and founder of JewishPathways.com. He is also the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, and author of "David & Goliath" (2012), the definitive treatment of media bias against Israel. He lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.

Visitor Comments: 18

(16)
John D. Miller,
August 21, 2013 6:23 AM

Appreciation of the Jewish people

I was six years old in 1948 and I began to know some Jewish men (Holocaust survivors) because they employed my mother in their small handbag business in Stamford Hill, London. So from a very early age I appreciated Jewish people and have continued to do so now aged 70 years.

(15)
esther klarmann,
August 21, 2013 12:12 AM

I love aish.com. Please send me all your articles you

have because I need them every days.

(14)
Elisabrt Stewart,
September 1, 2012 12:01 AM

High Holidays

So inspiring, as usual. You have helped me so much.

(13)
Shoshana - Jerusalem,
August 28, 2012 3:31 PM

Elul is a roaring lion

Elul is time to wake up. The shofar that they blow in shul every morning is exactly for this purpose. Even if we have been sleeping the whole year, the shofar is telling us, "Elul! Wake up! Prepare for your court case! Beg G-d to renew your lease!" " We are temporary residents on this earth. Whether or not we will be granted another year of life is decided on Rosh Hashana. This beautiful month of Elul is a precious gift granted to us by H-shem, who loves us and wants to give us every chance to be inscribed for another year.
For that reason He comes down very close to us during this month. Like a king who leaves his palace once a year and goes out into the field, so that his subjects can reach him easily. And more than that, Hshem is close to us our homes more than ever, during these holy days. So take advantage! Ask Him for whatever you want! He's right here, listening and waiting to grant our prayers.
The prophet Amos (chapt. 3, verse 8) says, "A lion is roaring, who won't fear?" In Hebrew, lion is "ariyei". Alef.
Reish.Yud.Hey. Alef-Elul. Reish-Rosh Hashanah. Yud-Yom Kippur. Hey-Hoshana Raba. This roaring lion must wake us up from our slumber.
This year especially, with so much illness and tragedy, so much assimulation, with the threat of terrorists and atom bombs, we should use every minute of this beautiful Elul to pray and beg , on an individual level as well as a national level. Our Elul prayers have such great power. So let's WAKE UP! And get out of any lull we might have unfortunately fallen in to . The King is in the field. (Hamelech b'sadeh). May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good year. Amen.

(12)
ruth housman,
August 20, 2012 2:25 PM

The EL and the 'Lull' in Elul

This is a beautifully rendered description of these days leading up to these high holidays. I walked the High Line in New York yesterday prior to visiting with my aunt and uncle, both 103. I know there is a Book of Life, that there is a story surrounding every life, a purpose to our being here and that something of true splendour is happening because I am gifted total sunchronicity and a story that is humbling in the extreme. My mission is to keep writing and as herd is to heard take you all into a new opening of conscience and consciousness. This story is about Love itself as autumn is for the burning bush and the turning of leaves... live in the metaphor and revere the connectivity that characterized this world.

Anonymous,
August 30, 2012 7:14 AM

no "lull" in Elul

Sorry, but you got it wrong. As Rabbi Simmons wrote, Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgement and we have a big court case coming up. Elul is the time to wake up, not, G-d forbid, to fall into any lull. (see above post, "roaring lion" ).

(11)
Bruce Buchanan,
September 7, 2010 3:34 AM

Pure Gratitude!

I'm 62 (Oh! 63, in 2 more days!)Just started a Spiritual journey about 10 years ago, after a horrific upbringing associated with Fundamentalist Christianity (& my father had been Jewish, which I didn't know until I was 21! -And was disowned at 15.) Aish is such a GREAT resource for me, & am HUNGRY to study The Torah, Authentic Kabbalah. I feel every minute counts, as I have SO MUCH catching-up to do! Altho I'm not TECHNICALLY Jewish, my heart & my love are with the people as I recognize Judaism to be the ONLY TRUTH! Thank You all, at Aish, for your continuing support, hope, inspiration & education! I'm TRULY grateful!

(10)
Anonymous,
August 19, 2010 3:18 PM

custom varience

as i am sure the rav is aware, nsakh sfard says psalm 27 in the morning and in the the afternoon, and the sfaradi custom differs in days of slikhot, all of eleul.
thanks

(9)
Anonymous,
August 16, 2010 2:44 AM

The more I learn, the better it gets. I awakened at 4:07 am today and had the ability to thank G-d. I had no other reason to awaken. Wide awake I began to read and study some more. It has energized my entire day. I love this learning process and being able to recognize "Life is Now" for the great value and the grace to finally acknowledge to myself that Rabbi (Pliskin) is sure on to something. To him I say thank you. As I read your book and study others, Tanakh, Jewish Dictionary, etc the world I want is before me. Thank you for this article. May Hashem bless us, one and all for a gracious, grateful and fulfilling new year.

karen,
August 19, 2012 8:59 PM

Thank you for sharing. I also thank Rabbi Pliskin and Aish. I am on an amazing journey and learning more and more each day. May HaShem bless you as well

(8)
Yocheved,
August 19, 2009 7:06 PM

Thank You!

Thank you for preparing me for the coming days.
I haven't realized until now how important these
days are. Cheshbon of the soul.....
Blessings to you!

(7)
dick daniels,
August 28, 2008 4:50 PM

May HASHEM grant you peace shalom

the teachings are wonderfull-they help with better understanding of TORAH please keep up the great teaching

(6)
sjhepner,
August 20, 2007 5:38 PM

Thank you...

Thank you for your lucid esplnations,,I never knew all this before..

Thank you...

(5)
Ruth Housman,
August 19, 2007 12:25 PM

the month of Elul

Thank You for these reminders. Since I am always these days seeing into language I am reminded that in the English word lull and also, of course lullabye, are echoes of this word. And then I see additionally in lulav not only the lulav of Sukkot but the echo within of AV the father as in AVINU Malkenu.

It is a month of contemplation as in lull surely and it is a month in which here, in New England, we are anticipating the incoming from summer, that withdrawal into ourselves, into a meditative state, that time of the "burning bush" and so surely it is for me a holy time and I totally appreciate these words of wisdom as I am always learning something new.

With thanks!

(4)
CONNIENEUMAN,
September 25, 2006 3:29 PM

i love your website thank you love CN SHALOM

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK..BLESS THIS NEW YEAR

(3)
Ben Ketang,
September 1, 2004 12:00 AM

Rosh Hasanah will be my stronger-intropection and Changes

Jakarta, 1 September, 2004

Thank you for the useful acticle of Ha Rosh Hasanah, it will be usefull article to find the right-massage about how serve and strenghen the quality of spirit and future-goals between us,

all the best,
Ben

(2)
Daniel Solomon,
August 28, 2003 12:00 AM

Goal-setting is the key to spiritual success

Thank you for continuing to stress the value of goal-setting in reaching shleimus (perfection) in our service of Hashem. This was the approach of great men like Rabbi Yisrael Salanter Z'TL and Rabbi Avigdor Miller Z'TL and countless others. Like the slogan made popular by NIKE, "Just do it", we Jews have to "just do it" and write down our goals and monitor our success. As you have written in other articles, Hashem wants this from us and has even laid out the Jewish calender to assist us with reveiwing our life goals. At a minimum, Rosh Hashana. Better still, every month at Rosh Chodesh. Still better every Shabbos. And the best is a daily chazora (review).

Businesspeople have detailed plans and review them carefully. Let's be in the business of perfecting our service to Hashem with goals and action-plans and consistent review.

Like King Solomon said (paraphrased), "If you pursue it (Torah) like silver and gold...then you will be successful"